Government

HEATH SPRINGS – The towns of Heath Springs and Kershaw are following the city of Lancaster’s lead on addressing a state directive, but will join forces to do so.
Recent legislation passed by the S.C. General Assembly now requires the state’s towns and cities to foot the bill for defendants who can’t pay for their own defense in municipal courts.

A rift between Lancaster City Council members surrounding the mayor’s refusal to sign two checks earlier this year will result in a procedural change.
Following an at times contentious debate and a confusing unanimous vote, city council moved forward on a modified resolution that authorizes a second councilmember to sign checks in emergency situations.
Council rejected a resolution that would authorize two additional councilmembers to sign checks.

From crafting new bylaws to investigating Lancaster County’s failed bid to join the I-77 Alliance, county officials have funded a plethora of legal fees related to the Lancaster County Economic Development Corp. during the last few years.
But how much did it cost taxpayers?
That’s the question several officials responded to this week as repercussions continue to be felt from Lancaster County Council’s Aug. 10 decision to rescind funding for, and end its years-long relationship with, LCEDC.

Does it matter if a county department head doesn’t live in Lancaster County?
It’s an issue that has popped up on Lancaster County Council’s radar for years, though one councilwoman felt it was time to address the issue once and for all.
During council’s Monday, Oct. 12 meeting, Councilwoman Charlene McGriff asked council to consider instituting a residency requirement for all newly hired county department heads.
McGriff said she believed managers should “live where you represent.”

Lack of county funding and the absence of several members didn’t stop the Lancaster County Economic Development Corp. board of directors from discussing several issues related to dues, assets and contracts during its monthly meeting Monday, Oct. 12.
Despite the fact Lancaster County rescinded its LCEDC funding back in August, it was business as usual for the 10 members at the meeting in the Lancaster County Water and Sewer District meeting room.

An interim economic development firm and a new structural committee are two of the latest developments in the county’s economic development saga.
Lancaster County Administrator Steve Willis confirmed Lancaster County Council recently approved a motion to engage a firm, and not a person, to handle economic development matters on an interim basis until a permanent in-house director is hired. The vote was made after council returned from executive session at its Sept. 28 meeting.

From the outside, it may appear a little early to begin the 2016-17 budget process a scant quarter into the current fiscal year.
However, that’s not the case in local county government.
Lancaster County Council has scheduled a strategic planning session for today, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3. The Friday session is 4 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday’s session is 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in council chambers at the Lancaster County Administration Building.

From release
The office of U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) will host informational sessions and office hours for high school students interested in attending one of the five service academies – U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy or U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
The closest sessions will be:
• Thursday, Oct. 1 – 5-6:30 p.m., city of Rock Hill Operations Center conference room, 757 S. Anderson Road, Rock Hill
• Oct. 15 – 1301 Gervais St., Suite 825, Columbia

When a municipality periodically sells its surplus equipment, there is no telling where it’s going to next. It could be Pennsylvania, Ohio or overseas.
In 2012, the city of Lancaster sold a backhoe via Internet that went to India.
“Sure did,” said Larry Burgess, vehicle maintenance supervisor for the city of Lancaster “I know it ended up over there somewhere.”

As county officials continue the transition to an in-house economic development office, work on several prospective projects continues behind the scenes.
On Monday, Sept. 28, Lancaster County Administrator Steve Willis discussed several confidential projects under consideration by county officials, all with their own mysterious code names.